Summer In Sin City

29-01-2012 om 17:35 geschreven door zooroo  

"Original" Bootlegs

Several bootlegs based upon original RCA albums faced up or were announced recently. The classic 40 Greatest Hits, Elvis Sings The Wonderful World Of Christmas (smart timing with the FTD coming up), Welcome To My World and Rarities (1 & 2) are the titles.

40 Greatest Hits

My Baby Left Me
Heartbreak Hotel
Blue Suede Shoes
Hound Dog
Love Me Tender
Got A Lot Of Livin' To Do
(Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear
Party
All Shook Up
Old Shep
Don't
Hard Headed Woman
King Creole
Jailhouse Rock
A Big Hunk O' Love
I Got Stung
One Night
(Now And Then There's) A Fool Such As I
I Need Your Love Tonight
Stuck On You
Fever
It's Now Or Never
Are You Lonesome Tonight?
Wooden Heart
Surrender
(Marie's The Name) His Latest Flame
Wild In The Country
There's Always Me
Rock-A-Hula Baby
Can't Help Falling In Love With You
Good Luck Charm
She's Not You

Disc Two:
Return To Sender
(You're The) Devil In Disguise
Crying In The Chapel
Guitar Man
In The Ghetto
Suspicious Minds
There Goes My Everything
Don't Cry Daddy

Bonus Tracks: : Musical Highlights 1954-1976

Burning Love, - take 1, March 31, 1972 One of the last true rock and roll hits for The King. Here we have a rare version from the 'ELVIS ON TOUR' tapes
Way Down - Spliced take , october 29/30, 1976 Recorded in the Jungle Room, in the privacy of Elvis' home. After Elvis' passing this song reached the number one position in the UK in august 1977
Moody Blue - Overdubbed (edited) master, february 4/5, 1976 Title song of Elvis' last studio album and a huge European hit.
How Great Thou Art - June 10, 1975 Great live version, recorded at the Midsouth Colliseum, one year after his grammy award winning version of this beautiful gospel song.
What Now My Love - January 14, 1973 From Elvis' famous TV broadcast 'Aloha From Hawaii By Satellite' . A true materpiece.
An American Trilogy, February 14, 1972 M.S. One of the highlights of an Elvis Presley Performance in the 1970s. This version was recorded 2 days before the original master version, which was released as a single in the same year.
Bridge Over Troubled Water - August 12, 1970 M.S. Die hard Elvis fans believe this show was the best he ever did, this great version was not chosen for the movie, but could easily have made it to the final print.
I Just Cant Help Believing, August 13, 1970 D.S. Another great song recorded during the third Vegas Engagement, although Elvis had trouble learning the lyrics, he produced an excellent live version released as a single, here is an alternate version recorded one day later.
Polk Salad Annie - February 18, 1970 D.S. Another highlight and fan favorite of the Elvis Presley shows, introduced in his second Vegas Season
Long Black Limousine - spliced take. This song set the standard for what would come. The very first song recorded at the American Sound Studios in 1969, could have easily, if released as a single, made it to the top ten.
A Little Less Conversation , June 24, 1968 (vocal overdubb) When Elvis opened his 1968 comeback special with the words: 'If Youre Looking for Trouble', little did he know that, a song recorded during these sessions, would be a number one hit 34 years later. Remixed by Dutch DJ JXL, the song was the theme for the 2002 FIFA Worldcup Finals. On this set, you'll hear the original recording.
Bossa Nova Baby – take 3, January 22, 1963 Although Jailhouse Rock was considered to be Elvis finest movie dancing performance, the Bossa Nova Baby sequence of the 1963 movie 'Fun In Acapulco', might be underrated, and also an acknowledge Elvis that could still move in the 1960s!
Blue Hawaii - take 3, March 22, 1961 Although the movie was a big international succes, it was also a turning point in the career of Elvis, attempts to re-create its succes, almost killed him as a professional singer.
He Know Just What I Need - take 9, Oktober 30, 1960. Elvis wanted to be a singer in a gospel quartet, how lucky we are he didnt make it, but gospel music is highly appreciated by fans, here you find a rare outtake from Elvis first sacred album His Hand in Mine, not released on the FTD 'classic album' release.
Wear My Ring Around Your Neck - Undubbed Master (with count in), February 1, 1958. A real rock and roll gemm, recorded by Elvis while he was in the army.Despite the Rickys, Bobbys and Fabians, he was still the King of popular music!
I Got A Woman - alternate take , January 10, 1956 Attemps to record this song were made at Sun Studios, but after singing up with RCA, this was the first track that was recorded.
I Love You Because - take 3, july 5, 1954 Recorded at Sun Studios, during his very first commercial recording session, minutes later Rock and Roll was born when That's All Right was recorded.
Thats All Right - take 3, july 5, 1954. Heres where it all started for popular music. Rock and Roll was born, and nothing would ever be the same.

Welcome To My World

Welcome To My World (Live)
Help Me Make It Through The Night
Release Me
I Really Don't Want To Know
For The Good Times (Live)
Make The World Go Away
Gentle On My Mind
I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry
Your Chaetin Heart
I Can't Stop Loving You (Live)

Bonus:

Loving Arms (Unedited Master)
Kentucky Rain (Live)
Susan When She Tried (Take 6)
Little Cabin Home On The Hill
He'll Have To Go
You Gave Me A Mountain (Live)
Faded Love
T-R-O-U-B-L-E (Take 4)
I'm Counting On You (Take 13)
Funny How Time Slips Away (Live)

Rarities 1

Are You Lonesome Tonight (Recorded Live, Las Vegas / 8-26-69)
In The Ghetto (Recorded Live, Las Vegas / 8-24-69)
Heartbreak Hotel (Recorded Live 'venus Room' New Frontier Hotel Las Vegas 5-6-56)
Such A Night (Recorded Live , Uss Arizona Memorial Benefit Concert 3-25-61)
Blue Suede Shoes (Recorded Live 'venus Room' New Frontier Hotel Las Vegas 5-6-56)
Money Honey (Recorded Live 'venus Room' New Frontier Hotel Las Vegas 5-6-56)
I Will Be True (Elvis At The Piano / 5-19-71)
I'm Leavin (Original Single Version / 5-20-70
Beyond The Reef (Elvis Piano And Vocal)
It's Only Love (Original Single Version)

Bonus

You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling (Recorded Live, Las Vegas / 8-7-70)
Can't Help Falling In Love (Alternate Take 24 / 3-23-61)
Seeing Is Believing (Unedited Master / 5-19-71)
Are You Sincere (Alternate Take 2 / 9-23-73)
Hep Me (Overdubbed Master With False Start / 12-12-73)
Promised Land (Alternate Take 6 Vocal Harmony By Elvis Unedited Version / 12-15-73)
Good Time Charlie's Got The Blues (Alternate Take 8, Without Fade Out / 12-13-73)
Early Morning Rain (Alternate Take 2 / 1-14-73)
My Boy (Unedited Overdubbed Master / 12-13-73)
Blowin' In The Wind (Homerecording 1966)
Yesterday (Recorded Live Las Vegas / 8-24-69)
My Way (Recorded Live On Tour / 4-25-77)

Rarities 2

An American Trilogy (Recorded Live Las Vegas / 2-25-72)
Kentucky Rain (Recorded Live Las Vegas / 2-16-70)
Trying To Get To You (Recorded Live / 6-21-77)
Jailhouse Rock (Recorded Live / 6-29-68)
Thanks To The Rolling Sea (Alternate Take 10)
Long Tall Sally (Recorded Live "venus Room" New Frontier Hotel Las Vegas / 5-6-56)
Hi-Heel Sneekers (Original Single Version / 9-11-67)
Fool (Original Single Version / 3-28-72)
I'll Take You Home Kathleen (Elvis Piano And Vocal / 5-19-71)
Unchained Melody (Original Single Version / 6-21-77)
Little Sister/get Back (Recorded Live Las Vegas / 8-13-70)
They Remind Me Too Much Of You (Alternate Take 1)

Bonus Tracks:

I'll Be There (Alternate Master Take 6)
It Keeps Right On A Hurtin' (Undubbed Master)
After Loving You (Unedited Master / 2-18-69)
Inherit The Wind (Strings And First Breakup Overdub, Alternate Vocal / 1-24-69)
In The Ghetto (Backup Overdub / Unrepaired Master / 1-22-69)
I'm Movin On (Brass And Backup Overdub / 1-24-69)
You'll Think Of Me (Alternate Take 14 Without Fade Out / 8-24-69)
Mama Liked The Roses (Vocal Overdub Alternate Version / 1-21-69)
Any Day Now (Alternate Take 2 / 2-21-69)
A Dog's Life (Alternate Take 4-6 / 8-4-65)
Datin' (Alternate Take 6-8 11-12 / 8-4-65)

Elvis Sings The Wonderful World Of Christmas - The Alternate Album

O Come All Ye Faitful (Vocal Overdub/undubbed Master Take 1)
The First Noel (Vocal Overdub/undubbed Master Take 1)
On A Snowy Christmas Night (Undubbed Master)
Winter Wonderland (Undubbed Master Take 10)
The Wonderful World Of Christmas (Undubbed Master)
It Won't Seem Like Christmas (Without You) (Undubbed Master Take 7)
I'll Be Home On Christmas Day (Undubbed Master Take 8)
If I Get Home On Christmas Day (Undubbed Master Take 8)
Holly Leaves And Christmas Trees (Undubbed Master Take 10)
Merry Christmas Baby (Unedited Undubbed Maste Take 1)
Silver Bells (Unedited Master Take 2)

Bonus Tracks

Holly Leaves And Christmas Trees Takes 1 & 2)
Holly Leaves And Christmas Trees Takes 3)
Holly Leaves And Christmas Trees Takes 4 / 5 & 6)
Holly Leaves And Christmas Trees Take 8)
Silver Bells (Rehearsal & Take 1)
Silver Bells (Takes 2 & 3)
I'll Be Home On Christmas Day (Takes 1 & 2)
I'll Be Home On Christmas Day (Take 4)
I'll Be Home On Christmas Day (Takes 3 / 5 & 7)
I'll Be Home On Christmas Day (Take 6)
Winter Wonderland (Take 7)
The Wonderful World Of Christmas (Vocal Overdub)
The Lord's Prayer (Informal Jam)

Source: Elvis Australia / Updated: Nov 19, 2011

29-01-2012 om 17:34 geschreven door zooroo  

Such A Night In Pearl Harbor, Hawaii: For God And Country

Memphis Recording Service in association with JAT Productions will release the next Elvis Presley title ‘Such A Night in Pearl Harbor’ in March 2012. It will contain a completely new re-mastered CD of Elvis’ performance of the benefit concert recorded at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii on March 25th 1961 to aid of the USS Arizona Memorial Fund.

The quality is of this concert is far superior than anything of this ever released before and will now be considered, one of the best Elvis concert recordings up until that time. Amazing samples of this will be available in the coming week.

Elvis performs 15 songs and sings every one as if it were the first time he had ever presented them to an audience. This includes many #1 hits and includes classics that were never performed previously or again such as ‘A Fool Such As I’, ‘I Need Your Love Tonight’ and more.

Also included for the first time ever, is the 30 minute radio broadcast from Hawaii a week before Elvis’ arrival. It promoted the concert for the memorial fund, playing selected tracks from Elvis’ Christmas and ‘His Hand in Mine’ album, released at that time including words by Elvis Presley.

As a bonus, the CD is accompanied by a 100 page hard back book that contains many rare photographs with extensive and informative linear notes detailing Elvis’ arrival and performance in Hawaii.

Hawaii: For God And Country

A couple of hours later we received news that the unknown label 3764 BLVD Publishing will release the same material with the title Hawaii: For God And Country on March 26.

Their press-release:

The complete benefit show for the Arizona Memorial fund plus the radio broadcast from Uncle Tom’s Cabin a few days earlier to promote the Elvis Show.
This historical show is the only one available of the only 3 shows given in the 60’s before Elvis disappeared from the stage for 8 years. Only 3 days later he started filming “Blue Hawaii”.

The audio is remastered and optimized for maximum listing pleasure; priority has been given to historical value. Nevertheless it will be a thrill to discover the excitement of the only Elvis Show in 1961 recorded to date. The sound on this release is a significant improvement over earlier versions.
A 24 page booklet accompanies the CD (with more than 74 minutes running time), to give detailed background info + many rare photos in b&w and in color. Also included are clippings, articles and items from the show and the fund raising.

THE FIRST 1000 copies will just like in 1961 be numbered

THE ELVIS SHOW

01 Introduction
02 Heartbreak Hotel
03 All Shook Up
04 A Fool Such As I
05 I Got A Woman
06 Love Me
07 Band Introductions
08 Such A Night
09 Reconsider Baby
10 I Need Your Love Tonight
11 That's All Right
12 Don't Be Cruel
13 One Night
14 Are You Lonesome Tonight ?
15 It's Now Or Never
16 Swing Down Sweet Chariot
17 Hound Dog

THE SPECIAL RADIO BROADCAST

Elvis and the Colonel pay tribute to the victims of Pearl Habor 1941 presented by Tom Moffat in a special radio broadcast from Honolulu, Sunday ,March 19, 1961

18 Introduction and promotion for the U.S.S. Arizona Memorial benefit Elvis
Show on Saturday 25th.
19 Take My hand Precious Lord
20 Tom/ EJ Solomons (US. Navy Admiral )
21 I Believe In The Man In The Sky
22 Dialogue/ Neal Shaw Blaisdell (Mayor of Honolulu)
23 It’s No Secret
24 Tom/ Mr. H.Tucker Gratz (Chairman of War Memorial Commision).
25 Milky White Way
26 Tom/George Chaplin* (Editor of Honolulu advertiser)
27 He Knows Just What I Need
28 Tom / William F .Quinn (Governor of Hawaii)
29 I Believe
30 Tom/ Morley Theaker (Sears manager, In charge of the Ticket sales)
31 Tom /Calls Elvis from his ”Uncle Tom’s Gabin” in Hawaii, they talk about a
special broadcast for the U.S.S. Arizona Memorial benefit.
32 The Last Post / Tom
33 Peace In The Valley
34 Tom /Credits.

Source: Email / Updated: Jan 23, 2012

29-01-2012 om 17:21 geschreven door zooroo  

Nieuwe FTD 'Live in Shreveport 1975'

‎Friday, ‎January ‎27, ‎2012, ‏‎1:47:00 PM

Onze vrienden bij EER kregen zopas de formele bevestiging dat de volgende live FTD "Live in Shreveport 1975" wordt. Elvis trad op in Shreveport, Louisiana op 7 juni 1975. Wat een toeval dat we uitgerekend deze zelfde show in de auto speelden voor James Burton - geboren en getogen in Shreveport Louisiana - die verbaasd was over de goede kwaliteit van de show. Dit is alvast de tracklisting van de namiddagshow in Shreveport: See See Rider - I Got A Woman / Amen - Love Me - If You Love Me Let Me Know - Love Me Tender - Audience Talk - All Shook Up - Teddy Bear / Don't Be Cruel - Hound Dog - The Wonder Of You - Burning Love - Band Introductions - Johnny B Goode - Drum Solo - Bass Solo - Piano Solo - School Days - T-R-O-U-B-L-E - Why Me Lord? - How Great Thou Art - Funny How Time Slips Away - Little Darlin' - Mystery Train / Tiger Man - Can't Help Falling in Love

29-01-2012 om 15:17 geschreven door zooroo  

The Hillbilly Cat Live

Graceland Records releases the legendary vinyl bootleg The Hillbilly Cat Live on CD. Hopefully this CD will be as legendary as the vinyl version.

Graceland Records is planning a new CD release, a digipack with gorgeous photos and liner notes plus technical information. It features one of the best shows from his August Las Vegas engagement, namely the August 23rd, 1970 dinner show, taken from the original unspoiled – a tremendous audience recording! This recording was partly released in 1970 on vinyl as "The Hillbilly cat, Live", but it was a combined version of 2 different shows, August 23rd dinner and 24th Midnight show. The sound quality was great for the time the time. Rumors were that a professional recording (soundboard) was used. This is not the case; a stereo tape recorder was used directly in front of the center stage. Graceland Records was lucky enough to work with the original audiocassette. These days the possibilities to improve an audience tape are far greater than they were in 1970, so this recording now sounds significantly better than it did on the 1970 vinyl bootleg.
Now Finally for the first time ever on CD.
One of the first bootlegs ever, "THE HILLBILLY CAT LIVE" A much sought-after double album from Canada, released back in 1970 with a mix of two shows, edited to create one powerhouse performance.
Now for the first time the complete tape recording of the first of these 2 shows: the August 23rd 1970 dinner show, which was only partly released on the double album and now in full, with only the last part of "Suspicious Minds" & "Can't help falling In Love" repaired with audio from the August 24th midnight show. Due to a little mistake the tape was turned off too fast, but he wrote down the set list.

This show is hilarious, wild and loose: Elvis was in great spirits & the Hollywood cameras were gone. The many false starts indicates that he was fooling around and having a great time doing it.. With probably the craziest intro ever to "Hound Dog", a wild and rocking version. With great renditions of "Tiger Man" "That's all Right" and "You've Lost That Loving Feeling" All phenomenal performances..

A fantastic and entertaining show where he combines humor and true entertainment. A sparkling show with no weak spots. Elvis was on top of his game ! This is definitively one of the finest performances of this season.

Do not miss your chance to obtain another winner from Graceland records!

Tracks:
01. That's All Right 02. I Got A Woman / Ave Maria (excerpt) 03. Tiger Man 04. Monologue 05. Love Me Tender (with false start) 06. I've Lost You 07. I Just Can't Help Believing 08. You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin' 09. Polk Salad Annie 10. Band Introductions 11. Johnny B. Goode 12. Band Introductions 13. The Wonder Of You 14. Heartbreak Hotel (with 2 false starts) 15. One Night (with 2 false starts) 16. All Shook Up (false start only) / Blue Suede Shoes (with false start) / Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On / Blue Suede Shoes 17. All Shook Up (false start only) / Hound Dog 18. Bridge Over Troubled Water 19. Suspicious Minds 20. Can't Help Falling In Love.

As an extra we added a complete set to our wallpaper section: 1600x1200, 1280x1024 and a special iPhone wallpaper:

Source: For CD Collectors Only / Updated: Jan 9, 2012

21-01-2012 om 12:38 geschreven door zooroo  

Working with Elvis left impression on Strickland

• By Mark Jordan
• Go Memphis
• Posted January 5, 2012 at 4:52 p.m.

Courtesy of Larry Strickland

Larry Strickland

Elvis Presley would literally give you the shirt off his back, says Larry Strickland, who as a member of J.D. Sumner & The Stamps sang backup for Elvis in his last years.

Strickland recalls during the making of one album, they were all hanging out at Graceland, when Elvis announced he was getting rid of his old wardrobe. He called each member of the group upstairs to give them some of his discarded clothes.

"I would look at him and say, 'Yeah Elvis, I can have that hemmed up; I can make that work,' " Strickland says with a chuckle. "I walked away with three or four of his shirts and one of his kind of outfits. It wasn't a stage outfit, but it looked like it could have been."

Strickland still has his Elvis garments, more as mementos rather than as actual articles of clothing. But this weekend the Nashville resident, who went on to great success as a singer and manager outside of The Stamps, will slip back into his Elvis shirt figuratively for one of his semi-regular reunions with surviving members of The Stamps. As part of this week's Elvis birthday celebration, Strickland and the Stamps will perform Saturday morning at the Graceland Ticket Pavilion. In the afternoon, the Stamps and others will participate in "Conversations on Elvis" at the Memphis Marriott East.

"I figured out the other day that I'm probably the youngest guy left of everybody that toured with Elvis on stage," says Strickland, who at 65 is three years younger than his predecessor in the Stamps, the Oak Ridge Boys' Richard Sterban. "I'm going to be the last man standing if I keep my health."

Strickland was born a pastor's son in North Carolina. From an early age, his father would take him to "gospel singings," where he first got hooked on the music. Growing up, some of his favorite performers were Sumner and the Palmetto State Quartet from neighboring South Carolina.

As a teen, Strickland began performing in a series of gospel groups, breaking only briefly for military service. He was back at it in 1974 when he got the call to audition for The Stamps, who had started with Elvis three years earlier.

"... I literally went from being a weekend, part-time kind of singer to full time on stage with Elvis overnight," he says of his heady change in circumstance.

Strickland stayed with The Stamps through Elvis' death in 1977 until the group's breakup in 1980.

"We still traveled," he says of the last years. "Of course after (Elvis) died our shows turned into tribute shows. A lot of our programs were about him. A lot of Elvis fans instead of gospel fans were coming to see us, so we were having to do all these tributes singing his music. We would do the gospel songs that we did with him, and J.D. would sit around reminiscing about Elvis."

Frustrated, Strickland and some other members of the group left to form a country band. Strickland found greater success, however, working behind the scenes as a producer and manager. Most notably, he helmed the career of his wife of 22 years, country star Naomi Judd of The Judds, after their 1989 marriage.

"It was very interesting but much harder," says Strickland of the transition to the role he still fills for Judd. "There was a lot of detail stuff and having to go from an artist and being in a position where I was the one being catered to being the one who had to do all the catering."

Except for his periodic Stamps reunion, Strickland stayed away from singing until 2008, when he was recruited by his old favorites The Palmetto State Quartet to sing bass. A year later, he bought the group name from retiring senior member Kerry Beatty. Since then the group, recently expanded to a quintet, has adopted a busy tour schedule, traveling last year with the reunited Judds among others. Last spring they released a new CD of country-style gospel, Grace.

"One thing led to another and next thing you know I'm back in it full time," says Strickland, who will return to Memphis in August, the 35th anniversary of Presley's death, for an "Elvis in Concert" event featuring surviving band members performing to old concert footage of the King. "The music just draws you in. I love gospel music. And I just love Southern gospel quartet style of music."

--------------------

Gospel Concert Celebration

Featuring former members of J.D. Sumner & The Stamps; 8 a.m.-9:15 a.m. Saturday at Graceland Ticket Pavilion. Tickets: $25, available at guest services inside the pavilion.

06-01-2012 om 21:36 geschreven door zooroo  

Elvis Birthday 2012: Graceland Trivia Tour

When: January 05, 2012 | 4:30 p.m.

Where: Graceland Mansion - Memphis, TN

Price: $32 - $15 | Ages: All ages

Graceland Trivia Tour
4:30 p.m. Event starts at the Graceland Ticket Office. Guests are invited to tour Graceland Mansion and the Elvis Presley Automobile Museum while simultaneously answering trivia questions to which answers can be found on the Graceland tour. Adult and junior versions of the trivia tour will be available. Prizes for both adult and junior versions to be announced. Tickets for adults are $32.00; children 7-12 are $15.00; children 6 and under are free. To buy tickets, call Graceland Reservations at 800-238-2000 or 901-332-3322

05-01-2012 om 21:28 geschreven door zooroo  

Elvis Presley (cq) and wife, Priscilla (cq)

[Caption Will Be Printed Here]

Choose Your Crop Center Top Bottom None Center Left Right None

16 Jan 71 - Photo by Dave Darnell. Elvis Presley (cq) and wife, Priscilla (cq) stand as he is introduced at a luncheon at the Holiday Inn Rivermont. Presley was being honored by the Jaycees of America as one of the Outstanding Young Men In America. Seated at left fore and applauding is William N. Morris (cq), former sheriff of Shelby County. Seated and applauding to right of Priscilla (and staring at camera) is Red West. Dave Darnell

05-01-2012 om 21:26 geschreven door zooroo  

Elvis Presley and Mary Kathleen Selph

[Caption Will Be Printed Here]

Choose Your Crop Center Top Bottom None Center Left Right None

Elvis Presley and Mary Kathleen Selph (cq) (Left) seen at the corner of South Parkway and Elvis Presley Blvd. in Memphis, Tennessee June 30, 1972. (By Dave Darnell / The Commercial Appeal) *** NOTE: ID on Selph from her mother, Peggy Selph Cannon (cq) on 5 Jan 00. Mrs. Cannon lives at 7706 Deer Trail Lane, Bartlett, TN 38133. Mrs. Cannon says her daughter was killed in an auto accident on 18 Jul 72 at the age of 20 and was the 60th traffic fatality in Memphis that year. Dave Darnell

05-01-2012 om 21:24 geschreven door zooroo  

Elvis Presley: Tiger Man - An Anthology Volume 5 - 8

As if the originals weren't bad enough, Wonderland will release "Elvis Presley: Tiger Man - An Anthology Volume 5 - 8" in longbox format.

CD 1:
Fame And Fortune (Alternate Take) - That’s Someone You Never Forget (Take 2, 3, 4, 6) - Kiss Me Quick (Take 8 & 9) - Baby If You Give Me All Your Love (Undubbed Master) - Wonderful World (Undubbed Master) - Edge Of Rality (Undubbed Master) - Almost In Love (Vocal Ovberdub) - Long Black Limousine (Alternate Mix) - Hey Jude (Undubbed Extended Version) - My Little Friend (Unfinished Master) - Inherit The Wind (Alternate Mix) - I’ll Be There (Echo Master Version) - True Love Travels On A Gravel Road (Take 10 & 11) - Sweet Caroline (Undubbed Master) - I Was Born About Ten Thousand Years Ago (Unedited Undubbed Master) - Put Your Hand In The Hand (Undubbed Unedited Master) - A Big Hunk O’ Love - Where Do I Go From Here (Undubbed Unedited Master) - Fool (Undubbed Unedited Master) - Ku-U-I-Po (14.01.1973 - Take 1) - Blue Hawaii (14.01.1973 - Take 10) - Ku-U-I-Po (14.01.1973 - Take 2) - Loving Arms (Undubbed Master) - T-R-O-U-B-L-E (Live 1975) - Why Me, Lord? (Live 1970) - Memory Revival (Instrumental)

CD 2:
Return To Sender (Master Take Longer Fade-Out) - A Boy Like Me, A Girl Like You (Take 3) - You Don't Know Me (Take 12 & 13) - All I Needed Was The Rain (Vocal Overdub) - Stay Away (Ttake 9) - I'm Movin' On (Alternate Unfinished Master) - Rubberneckin' (Alternate Mix) - It Keeps Right On A Hurtin' (Undubbed Master) - Only The Strong Survive (Alternate Mix) - Twenty Days And Twenty Nights (Acetate Recording / Undubbed Master) - Stranger In The Crowd (Undubbed Master) - You Don't Have To Say You Love Me (Undubbed Master / Unreleased) - Life (Original Single Version) - I Really Don't Want To Know (Alternate Mix) - Padre (Unfinished Master) - He Touched Me (Acetate Recording / Undubbed Master) - An Evening Prayer (Acetate Recording / Undubbed Master) - Burning Love (Undubbed Mmaster) - Always On My Mind (Overdubbed Version For "This Is Elvis") - Welcome To My World (Recorded Live, Alternate Mix) - Three Corn Patches (Undubbed Master) - Raised On Rock (Undubbed Master) - For Ol' Time Sake (Undubbed Master) - Little Sister (Recorded Live At The E/S, 13.12.1975) - She Thinks I Still Care (Undubbed Master) - I'll Never Fall In Love Again (Undubbed Master) - Rock My Soul / You Better Run (Recorded Live On Tour)

CD 3:
Blueberry Hill (Take 1 & 4) - Have I Told You Lately That I Love You (Take 14) - King Of The Whole Wide World (Take 7 & 8) - Mama (Extended Master) - She's A Machine (Undubbed Master) - If I Can Dream (Vocal Overdub, False Start Take 1 - Soundtrack Session Take 4) - Don't Cry Daddy (Alternate Mix) - My Little Friend (Master) - After Loving You (Alternate Mix) - Without Love (Alternate Mix) - Change Of Habit (Undubbed Master) - Let Us Pray (Alternate Master) - What'd I Say (Live Version) - That's All Right (Live Version) - Snowbird (Undubbed Master) - Blue Suede Shoes (Live Version) - I'm Leavin' (Unedited Undubbed Master) - He Is My Everything (Unedited Undubbed Master) - There Is No God But God (Unedited Undubbed Master) - The First Time Ever Is Saw Your Face - What Now My Love (Live, Original Mix) - I Got A Thing About You Baby (From "This Is Elvis") - Promised Land (Take 5) - Fever (Live Version - 30.08.1974) - If You Love Me (Let Me Know) (02.06.1975) - Portrait Of My Love (informal Recording)

CD 4:
Blueberry Hill (Take 8) - King Of The Whole Wide World (Uncut Master - Take 4) - I’m Falling In Love Tonight (Take 6) - So Close Yet So Far (Take 4) - Easy Come Easy Go (Unedited Master - Take 9) - Suppose (Long Version Master - Take 1) - Let Yourself Go (Master - Take 5) - Edge Of Reality (Master - Take 8) - Little Less Conversation (Master - Take 16) - Almost In Love (Single Version) - Gentle On My Mind (Differend Mix) - True Love Travels On A Gravel Road (Differend Mix) - Kentucky Rain (Differend Mix) - Cindy Cindy (Undubbed Master) - The Fool (Undubbed Master) - The Sound Of Your Cry (Extended Version) - It’s Your Baby You Rock It (Undubbed Master) - How The Web Was Woven (Undubbed Master) - Don’t Cry Daddy (Rehearsal X Rated) - Until It’s Time For You To Go (Undubbed Master) - We Can Make The Morning (Undubbed Master) - Burning love (Rehearsal) - You Dont Have To Say You Love Me (On Stage) - America The Beautiful (On Stage - Mixed Master) - Return To Sender (On Stage) - Unchained Melody (On Stage)

Source: Elvis Club Berlin / Updated: Dec 29, 2011

05-01-2012 om 21:21 geschreven door zooroo  

Pat Parry

Patti Parry spent 17 years being a little sister to Elvis & sometimes noted as being the only female member of the 'Memphis Mafia'. Patti Parry was, in fact, one of a small number of girls who hung out with Elvis and the guys for many years in L.A. from the time they were young in the early 60s. Patti was also Elvis' hairdresser but, unlike some, has never bragged about her association with him. It was therefore a pleasure for EIN to get a chance to talk to Patti in her Beverly Hills home about a few of her experiences.

Interview: Patti Parry By Piers Beagley (August 12, 2003)

EIN - Patti thank you so much for finding the time to talk to us. I think I can detect a slight English lilt to your accent, are you originally from the USA and please tell us how you ended up meeting Elvis?

Patti Parry - I am British originally born in Stamford Hill, in London, but I came over here with my parents in 1953. I moved to the U.S. when I was 10 and I met Elvis when I was just 17. It was November 1960 and I was going to Beauty school. In fact, of all coincidences, I ended up in Beauty school with Larry Geller!

Anyway I was driving with my friend in this old Buick down Santa Monica Boulevard and we see this Rolls Royce. It was obviously Elvis but I pretended I didn't know who he was. He rolled down the window and said "Hey girls. Hi". I replied "Hey, you look familiar do I know you from somewhere?" Well he knew that we knew who he was and he laughed and said "Hey girls, pullover!" Well we chatted and our personalities clicked & so he invited me up to the Perugia Way house. I got on well with all the guys so they all just adopted me and from that time on that was it! I was around until he died, amazing isn't it?

EIN - What did your parents think of you, at such a young age, hanging around with Elvis?

Patti Parry - They weren't really happy about my life with him! I wasn't dating anybody and I just wanted to hang out with Elvis. Think about it, I was only seventeen years old and hanging out with Elvis Presley! They did eventually come around to the idea. They knew how much I loved him and they knew how much he loved me and they finally accepted that. In fact Priscilla would sometimes come around to my parent's house which was nice.

EIN - Tell me about the recent reunion event you all had this year in Palm Springs.

Patti Parry - The event was the first time in ages that 'all my boys' were with me. I knew that Sonny West was going and Charlie Hodge too so I called up Joe (Esposito) and Jerry (Schilling) and said, "Let's all get together." This would be like the first time we had all been together in so long. It was like a dream to have all my boys together. (Laughing) I call them "my boys" but they are like 68 years old but they are still 'my boys'! See, I've been with them since I was 17! It was fantastic and we'll be doing it again next year. Although some of them have had their differences I said, "C'mon guys, it's 25 years you can let it go". We had the best time I was thrilled. We have also been doing some fundraising for the 'Special Olympics' which is a fun thing to do.

EIN - We recently interviewed Jimmy Velvet, did you know him?

Patti Parry - Well he never hung around with my gang but I do know him and he is a lovely man. He once bought Elvis' guitar from me! Years ago when I took guitar lessons Elvis gave me this old acoustic guitar of his to practice on. It was no big deal and I had it in my closet for 25 years. I didn't really think about the fact that it was once Elvis' and so eventually I ended up selling it to Jimmy for his collection.

EIN - Are you still working along with your Elvis commitments?

Patti Parry - I am semi-retired but I still work 2 days a week in Beverly Hills. I still am a hairdresser for Heads of Studios and Producers & Directors. I have an incredible cliental who just won't let me retire! I also keep myself busy with a lot of TV shows and I also do a few Elvis things for charity but I have never made my living off Elvis.

EIN - Now the story is that Elvis paid you $750 for the first haircut you did for him!

Patti Parry - That's true but after that first time I never took Elvis' money because I ended up travelling with him and I practically lived at his L.A homes. He bought me gifts and I ate there every night going over to the house every day after work. Elvis was like my family because I knew him since I was 17 and so we grew up together. He brought me up. Wherever he was he'd bring me in to either Palm Springs or Vegas & I even got to go over to Hawaii for the satellite special. I just wouldn't go on payroll.

EIN - I believe that you also did Priscilla's hair! Patti Parry - I did Elvis' hair that first time and then I did Priscilla's hair for a while. I did her hair in that big "Boombah" hairdo. What an amazing hairstyle that was! I got put on salary for that for a short time but I didn't want that and Priscilla could be a little, uh, difficult at times.. whatever! I saw Priscilla last year in Memphis and we hugged and kissed.

EIN - What about the disturbing concept that Elvis surrounded himself with paid friends rather than real friends. I always think it is great that you are referred to more as a friend than as a member of "the Gang."

Patti Parry - Listen, the guys who worked for Elvis worked very hard. I mean it was a 24/7 job for them. But I had my hairdressing and was working 4 days a week. I was kid, I was seventeen and I was a girl, I couldn't give up my complete life to work for him. Elvis lavished us with gifts but above all he was a friend. He didn't have a Mum, he didn't have a sister so I was a girl who was around who could nurture him. He needed that nurturing. I was the only girl there and if he needed it I would give him a lot of help and a shoulder to cry on. I was his Little Sister, I was a very lucky girl. (laughing) They were lucky too!

EIN - So tell me how you managed to stay a little sister without romance creeping in?

Patti Parry - We met when I was 17 and I was a nice innocent woman when I met him and he liked to bring up his women. He just adopted me and protected me and wouldn't let anyone hit on me. Even when I was in my thirties Elvis used to say, "Patti is family she doesn't fool around". I'd say, "Hey, I can fool around!"

EIN - Were his girlfriends like Priscilla or Linda Thompson ever jealous of the fact that you were the only girl there?

Joe Esposito and Linda Thompson

Patti Parry - Oh no, they knew exactly who I was and what I was. When he brought new girls up he would say, "This is Patti she is part of the family." The women knew our relationship was like brother & sister. But with Linda, you know, I got on so well with her. She's such an incredibly nice woman. She was the most fun, so wonderful. You know she looked after him and if Linda was with him he would never have died. But living with Elvis was really difficult. You really had to be mother, sister and confidant. When I got the call about him dying I ran to Linda's house. She's an incredible woman.

EIN - Is there one of the boys that you are closer to than the others?

Patti Parry - Well I am closer to Joe & Jerry. Joe is like my big bother and Jerry lives just up the street from me now. And I've got back being friends with Sonny after a long, long time. You know 'that book' really put a bit of distance between all of us but I knew that after 25 years it was time to get over it and that we were a family and we should be together. We were the only ones that really knew him so that is why it was so good to see them together in Palm Springs.
EIN - How much time did you spend in Memphis, because I heard that Elvis gave you a personal guided tour?

Dick Grob, Sonny and Red West, Elvis, Jerry Schilling, Lamar Fike, Joe Esposito, Vernon Presley

Patti Parry - I didn't spend much time there as when I met Elvis he was doing the movies & I was living in L.A. I sometimes went back for Christmases when he did. When I first arrived at Graceland he took me on this crazy ride on this golf cart which had, like, jet-engines! I thought it was going to be nice and sedate! He laughed as we bounced over the farmland at the back. I screamed and he loved that!

Then he took me to Humes High School and to Sun Records and places he grew up. He took me to Gladys' grave, which was the biggest honour he could ever do for me. We were standing right by the grave sight and then he teased me and said "Hey, Patti you're standing on my Mother!" and started laughing. He had a strange personality!

EIN - Elvis obviously had a very strong personality that would be have been very hard to say 'No' too. I can understand what an awkward position someone like Dr Nick, for instance, would have been in.

Patti Parry - You're right it was very hard to say 'no' to Elvis. In fact Dr Nick was a very nice man but he got caught up in the, how do I word it, "The Elvis syndrome." Nobody could say, "No." In fact I was always managed to be honest with him and told him the truth. I gave him hell when he needed it and he respected that! But Elvis was very crafty, he knew how to work around you!

Dr. Nick and his wife with Elvis

EIN - Maybe that was it Elvis needed more people to actually tell him how it was. Did you tell him to stop and cut back on those fatty sandwiches?!

Patti Parry - (Laughing) Oh no, I never could do that! When we were at Graceland we'd all be eating like red-eyed gravy and grits together! Those were some of my favourite times when Elvis and the guys would sit around and just sing gospel songs. In fact the guys commented, when I was singing along, that I was Jewish and shouldn't know all those songs. But I loved that music.

EIN - So were you at the Perugia Way house when The Beatles visited?

Patti Parry - Yes I was but, to be honest, it was not really that exciting. They came up and they all sort of stared at him. Elvis said, "Well if you're just going to stare at me I'm going to bed"! That sort of broke the ice and then they started playing some music together. At the time I wasn't really into their music and this was the period when we were more into playing Gospel at the house.

EIN - You were lucky enough to be in the audience for the '68 Comeback Special. What was that like seeing him perform live again? Was he nervous?

Patti Parry - It was amazing seeing him perform. I was there with Priscilla & Joannie Esposito and they said for me to go down and sit next to Elvis. It was incredible and every time he looked over at me he would laugh. He was really nervous about the show but at the same time really excited about doing it. He didn't get along that well with the director, Steve Binder, but he so loved to perform and that was when he was his happiest. Even though his records weren't doing so well at the time he knew his own talent and being surrounded by the guys he was really comfortable. He liked that so much more than making those movies.

Patti in white dress

EIN - Was there a big party afterwards to celebrate its success?

Patti Parry - No, he never really liked those kind of parties, it was more like family parties for him. In Vegas after the shows we'd go backstage and he would change. Then all these movie stars would come in but I think he was the most uncomfortable of everybody. He was very shy. Elvis was basically a 19-year-old truck driver and he was still shy but with his friends he could really relax. He was so different the first time I saw him on stage it blew me away. To see how the audience reacted to him and how he reacted to the people. He always went down and kissed the girls and shook hands which is very special for an entertainer to do.

EIN - Tell me about the Aloha Special. We know that Elvis was not happy with his hairstyle after he saw the dress rehearsal tape and wanted it changed for the final show. Patti Parry - I did his hair for that! I wasn't there for the rehearsal and Elvis was very unhappy about that first haircut. It looked like hell! Elvis wanted his hair cut properly and it was Marty Lacker, who was in LA, who called me and we flew in together. I cut his hair for the final show and Marty Pasetta, the producer, said to me that Elvis had never looked so great. While I cut his hair Elvis said, "Patti, look, I've got really thin, I feel really good.."

EIN - Tell me about the Aloha Special. We know that Elvis was not happy with his hairstyle after he saw the dress rehearsal tape and wanted it changed for the final show.

Patti Parry - I did his hair for that! I wasn't there for the rehearsal and Elvis was very unhappy about that first haircut. It looked like hell! Elvis wanted his hair cut properly and it was Marty Lacker, who was in LA, who called me and we flew in together. I cut his hair for the final show and Marty Pasetta, the producer, said to me that Elvis had never looked so great. While I cut his hair Elvis said, "Patti, look, I've got really thin, I feel really good.."

Elvis was very happy and really stoked about doing the show. I think that was his prime, he looked gorgeous. We were all staying on the 30th floor of the Hilton and had a ball together. The sad thing was that we all went to the beach but Elvis would be stuck in his room. We all also went to see the Arizona Memorial that he had put a lot of money into but again he couldn't go.

EIN - In the Aloha Special Elvis is obviously very tanned especially compared with his look in the 'On Tour' film. Since Elvis slept most of the day when and how did he ever get so tanned?

Patti Parry - He would usually get tanned & fit by relaxing in his home in Palm Springs. Elvis would go outside and we would put a fan out there and he'd put on 'Man Tan' (which was a version of today's suntan lotions & bronzers). I'd put it all over his face and he'd sit there and get tanned. Elvis was nocturnal, as you know, but he took time out in Palm Springs to get fit. He'd still get up around 4 o'clock in the afternoon but the sun in Palm Springs is still hot until eight o'clock at night. It was like our getaway place. We all just hung out & kicked back. I found out that the place is up for sale again right now.

EIN - Tell me about your TLC necklace. Do you remember exactly which year Elvis gave it to you, as EIN often gets asked which year they started?

Patti Parry - Tender Loving Care with the lightning-bolt standing for 'in a flash'! You know I've had it around my neck for so many years I can't remember exactly. It was the early seventies and we got it a Sol Schwartz's on Beverly Drive. Some people are really surprised that it is an original but I can tell you that this has never been off my neck! I've never taken it off and I never will. He gave it to me and Elvis was so special to me, he changed my life.

EIN - There is a new fascinating book on Colonel Parker coming out. Did you ever see Elvis react about Colonel Parker?

Patti Parry - You know in all the years I was around, The Colonel hardly ever came to the house. That was business you know. Joe handled the personal stuff but The Colonel was business. In Vegas The Col would come backstage at night. In fact the first time I took my parents to Vegas, The Col came over and introduced himself which sort of shocked me because he wasn't really part of our Elvis life. Elvis was always good to all my family. My own brother used to come along to Vegas too and we would always get front tables to see the show.

EIN - As you live in LA did you get to spend time with Elvis on the movie sets and did he ever tell you how bad he thought the later ones were?

Patti Parry - Sure, I was there at Kid Galahad, Wild in the Country, Viva Las Vegas and others. He said how he hated some of them. He said how they would just cut to a song and that it was stupid! But he knew that it was his job and he did the best he could. He was an incredible actor especially in King Creole (that was before my time) but also in Wild in the Country. Some of them, like Clambake though, oh dear, give me a break! During that time Elvis started into his self-realisation period seeing Daya Mata and stuff. He was always trying to figure out "Why me?"

EIN - How often did you get to see Elvis perform on stage? Were you there for that first 1969 season in Vegas? Patti Parry - Of course I was there, are you kidding?!! It was The International then and I got there every weekend. I never went on the payroll and so I couldn't go with him on tour 'cos I had to work but in Vegas I would fly in every weekend to see him or sometimes limo in. I saw him there every year through to the final one in '76 but by then, after the season, he would always return to Memphis. He was always so proud of the way he looked but by the end in 1977, he really let it go. It broke my heart.

EIN - When was the last time you saw Elvis?

Patti Parry - I last saw him about 7 months before he died. He wasn't looking good and it worried me. You've got to understand, he was not really healthy and his kidneys were really shot. It just made me so sad. Unfortunately at the end most of his closest friends had gone and he had just a bunch of young kids around him. That book really hurt him a lot. I think part of his demise was because all the gang was gone and he didn't have anybody left to play with. We used to all play and have so much fun together. I loved him, you know, he was my big brother.

EIN - You were there for so much of the music. Is there any Elvis song that means something special to you?

Patti Parry - (Laughing) "Little Sister" of course! But I love so many of them, like "It's Impossible."

EIN - I have to ask you that of all the time you spent with Elvis, what was the most special moment for you & why?

Patti Parry - Every moment, every minute of every day I spent with Elvis was really special. I can't really think of any moment that was the 'most special'. However when my parent's first met him was really special. When my Mum met him Elvis came up and whispered in her ear. He said, "Didn't I do a good job of bringing up Patricia?" He always called me Patricia. My Mum laughed and said "You know Elvis, I had something to do with it too!" But he did bring me up and he liked bringing up his women. As I said I was a really lucky girl, but you know what, he was really lucky to have me too.

EIN - Any final words you'd like to add?

Patti Parry - In my heart and my mind, that's where Elvis is. I still dream of him. I'm a very lucky woman. I always say to every fan "I'm glad that everybody loves my friend."

EIN - Thank you so much Patti, it has been fantastic talking to you.

Piers Beagley interviewed Patti Parry August 2003.

-Copyright EIN August 2003
EIN Website content © Copyright the Elvis Information Network.

Elvis en Patti Parry
	Joe Moscheo, baszanger van the Imperials, stuurde ons zopas een reeks foto's door van Patti Parry, die ook hij leerde kennen als één van de liefste en respectvolle fans die er al vanaf de jaren '60 bij was. Op de foto linksboven herken je Patti in het witte jurkje. De foto onderaan toont Myrna Smith (overleden in 2010), Joe en Patti. Deze fotot werd in 2009 genomen.
	Gepubliceerd: 28 oktober 2011, 05:41 Bron: ElvisMatters / Gepubliceerd door: ElvisMatters - Peter Verbruggen . - Fotograaf: Joe Moscheo

by: GERI PARLIN / La Crosse Tribune, 4 Sep 2007

Read EIN's interview with Patti Parry

Patti Parry met Elvis Presley when she was 17, and it was just as you might imagine it. The year was 1960 and it was a sunny day in California. She and her girlfriend were driving down Santa Monica Boulevard in an old Buick on their way to a fraternity party and they spotted a fancy black Rolls Royce.

It’s Elvis, they realized, and Parry pretended not to recognize him. “You look familiar. Do I know you from somewhere?” she coyly asked. Pretty soon, she was living with Elvis — not as a girlfriend but as a member of the Memphis Mafia. She was a little sister to the men who hung in a tight circle around Elvis and she gave up her youth and a chance at romance so she could hang with The King.

“Our personalities just bonded,” said Parry, who will attend the Elvis Explosion Sept. 7-9 at the La Crosse Center.

“He was gorgeous, he was 25,” but Perry knew she was not meant for a romance with Elvis.

“So he adopted me. I didn’t leave for 17 years. I gave up my life to Elvis.”

Her parents weren’t happy. She stopped dating, gave up life as she knew it, and traveled with Elvis and the gang. And because of that, she said, she never had children.

“Where he went, I went. I have no children because I gave up my life for him. Where he went, I followed.”

Maybe you had to know Elvis to understand. But 30 years after his death, Parry said she still misses him. She’s almost 65 and has just retired from her work as a hair dresser. And it’s only recently that she’s gotten on the Elvis circuit to talk about her time spent with Elvis.

Parry said Elvis was probably attracted to her honesty and the sense of family she gave him. “I told him the truth, and he loved me for that. I looked after him. He trusted me. Those guys, they adopted me.” She enjoys the tribute shows, she said, because they keep Elvis’ memory alive.

“They have wonderful, wonderful tribute artists. I do not have any problem with tribute artists as long as they don’t think they’re Elvis. They love him and they honor him.”

At the Elvis Explosion, she will share stories of life with Elvis and what it was like to live the life. “We shared the life of a millionaire. This is to honor Elvis. This is about my friend. I love to talk about it and people love it. That’s what it’s all about.”

IF YOU GO

What: 10th annual Elvis Explosion, hosted by Ronny Craig with convention, competition and benefit, featuring more than 25 impersonators and Patti Parry, a member of the Memphis Mafia.

When: 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday for semifinals and 1 p.m. Sunday for finals

Where: La Crosse Center

Tickets: $23 to $30 in advance, $2 more at the door; sold at Quillin’s IGA stores, WLFN Radio Group, Mirage Sports Bar, Salon Medusa, Lenny’s Boot and Shoe Repair, Glory Days Sports Pub, Visual Changes in La Crosse and West Salem and Crazy Horse Saloon in West Salem, or (608) 386-7809.

EIN's News & Information Archives

26-12-2011 om 17:38 geschreven door zooroo  

22-12-2011 om 20:21 geschreven door zooroo  

Elvis: Still the King

Looking for Elvis Over the years, we received so many questions about Elvis Presley's time in Vegas that we've created a whole page devoted to them. No Elvis fan's trip to Las Vegas would be complete without first stopping at the Las Vegas Hilton. Though remodeled several times over the last 30 years, the Hilton was the epicenter of Elvis' 1969-1976 Vegas performances. A statue located just outside the lobby entrance marks Elvis' time at the hotel and there are employees at the hotel who fondly remember the King's concerts. Your next stop should be the Planet Hollywood Hotel. While nothing remains of the original Aladdin hotel where Elvis married Priscilla, Planet Hollywood commemorates the event by offering two Elvis-themed wedding ceremonies in its chapel. Viva Las Vegas Wedding Chapel and a Hollywood Wedding Chapel also offer Elvis-themed wedding ceremonies. If you are looking for an Elvis tribute artist who truly captures the spirit of the King, we recommend Legends in Concert at Harrah's. At the Imperial Palace, you can check out the hotel's auto collection which boasts a Cadillac once owned by Elvis. Aria hotel at CityCenter is home to "Viva Elvis," a Cirque du Soleil show that pays tribute to the King through dancing, acrobatics, video and, of course, the music of Elvis. Located next to the theater is a gift shop that sells all things Elvis from Elvis Barbie dolls to Elvis Pez dispensers. Finally, if you are looking for a Vegas souvenir with a little Elvis flair, check out Bonanza Gifts. Located at the intersection of the Strip and Sahara Avenue, this store boast numerous Vegas tchotchkes with an Elvis theme. Elvis in Vegas timeline Las Vegas has never forgotten the King. 365 days a year, the city celebrates the spirit of Elvis Presley in a variety of ways. Below, we've given you a chance to remember Elvis in his Vegas heyday 1969 - 1976. The following timeline follows Elvis' Vegas appearances. The links will take you to articles and advertisements that appeared in the Las Vegas Sun newspaper during those years. April 23 - May 9, 1956: Elvis' first Vegas appearance Elvis made his first appearance in Las Vegas at the New Frontier Hotel in the spring of 1956. Hotel hype praised the "atomic powered" singer. While the nation's youth was in the grip of Elvis hysteria and "Heartbreak Hotel" was No. 1 on the Billboard pop charts, audiences in Las Vegas gave Elvis a cool reception. July, 1963: "Viva Las Vegas" Elvis Presley and Ann-Margret are in Las Vegas filming what would be Presley's 15th film, "Viva Las Vegas." The film wouldn't be released until June, 1964. May 1, 1967: Wedding bells Elvis Presley and Priscilla Anne Beaulieu are married in a private ceremony at the Aladdin Hotel. July 31 - Aug. 28, 1969: The King is back Thirteen years after his first appearance, Elvis returns to Las Vegas. He is booked for a four-week, 57-show engagement at the newly built International Hotel. The show breaks all existing Las Vegas attendance records. Elvis' first live album is recorded during the shows. January - February, 1970: A second appearance Elvis returns to Las Vegas for a month-long engagement at the International Hotel. Once again, Elvis breaks attendance records. Aug. 10 - Sept. 7, 1970: A hit Another popular month-long appearance at the International Hotel. MGM films some of the rehearsals and stage performance for its documentary "Elvis - That's the Way It Is." January - February, 1971 Another month-long appearance at the International Hotel. Aug. 9 - Sept. 6, 1971: Record audiences Elvis returns to Las Vegas and appears at the International Hotel, now called the Las Vegas Hilton. During his month-long appearance he is given the Bing Crosby Award from the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. This award would later be renamed the Lifetime Achievement Award presented each year during the Grammy Awards. Elvis was 36 years old. 1972 - 1975: Elvis performs in Vegas Jan. 26 - Feb. 23, 1971: Elvis appears at the International. Jan. 26 - Feb. 23, 1973: Elvis appears at the International. Aug. 6 - Sept. 3, 1973: Elvis appears at the International. Jan. 26 - Feb. 9, 1974: Elvis appears at the International. Aug. 19 - Sept. 2, 1974: Elvis appears at the International. March 18 - April 1, 1975: Elvis appears at the International. Aug. 18 - Sept. 5, 1975 Elvis opens at the Hilton, but ends his appearances on Aug. 20, 1975, when he is flown to Memphis and hospitalized. Dec. 2-15, 1975 Elvis returns to the Hilton to make up for shows that were cancelled because of his ill health. Dec. 2-12, 1976 Elvis appears at the Hilton for a two-week engagement. It turns out to be his final Las Vegas appearance. August 16,1977 Elvis dies at Graceland in Memphis, Tenn. In Las Vegas, fans and friends mourn the passage of an entertainment and Vegas legend.

On the eve of the 30^th anniversary of his death, the king of rock 'n' roll still reigns supreme in the "entertainment capital of the world."

On the Las Vegas Strip, Elvis' spirit lives on in shows like "Legends in Concert" and "Viva Elvis." Hundreds of couples tie the knot in Las Vegas each year with "Elvis" officiating at their wedding and the city is home to the world famous Flying Elvi -- a 10-member skydiving team dressed as the king.

Everywhere you look, from a rusted sign in the Neon graveyard that proclaims "Elvis slept here" to the $9.99 gold-rimmed sunglasses and sideburns at "World's Largest Gift Shop" on the corner of Sahara Avenue and the Strip, Elvis lives on.

Graceland may be home to his shrine but it's Las Vegas that pays homage to the spirit of Elvis the entertainer.

Elvis' enduring popularity in Vegas is a tribute to the bonds forged between the singer and the city in a seven-year run between 1969 and 1976, a period fondly remember as the "Vegas Years." It's a legacy that continues to this day.

"He was the show in town -- the one everyone wanted to go to because he was just really hot and was coming back with new music," said singer Terry Blackwood, a member of the Imperials who sang backup for Elvis. "Everyone wanted to see Elvis."

A rocky start then the romance

Elvis first performed in Las Vegas in 1956 when he was just 21 years old. He was booked in the Venus Room at the New Frontier hotel, which billed him as "The Atomic Powered Singer."

While he was already becoming quite popular with teens around the country, Elvis was not the typical Las Vegas Strip entertainer of the time and his shows were met with a cool reception.

Bill Willard, a reviewer for the Las Vegas Sun newspaper, panned Presley's performance writing, "For the teen-agers, the long, tall Memphis lad is a whiz; for the average Vegas spender or showgoer, a bore. His musical sound with a combo of three is uncouth, matching to a great extent the lyric content of his nonsensical songs."

Willard may have captured the dismay that older Vegas audiences had with the young upstart, but Las Vegas resident Ed Jameson caught a vision of the future Elvis would have in Vegas.        

Penning a rebuttal to Willard's review, Jameson wrote, "He is not a Rock 'n' Roller nor is he a cowboy singer. He is something new coming over the horizon all by himself and he deserves his ever-growing audience. Nobody should miss him. Parents would do well to take their children to hear him. It would be a good way to get to know and understand your own kids."

Elvis ended his two-week run unable to capture success in Vegas, but that didn't end his relationship with the city. While he wouldn't return to a Las Vegas stage for 13 years, in 1963 he spent several weeks in town to film the hit movie "Viva Las Vegas," which co-starred Ann-Margret.
       

The movie was a huge success, costing only $1 million to make and earning $5 million. It also spawned what many consider Sin City's theme song, "Viva Las Vegas."        

"Viva Las Vegas" also featured a Vegas wedding between Elvis and his co-star Ann-Margret. Four years later, reality mirrored the cinematic fairytale when Elvis' real-life love story played out in Las Vegas. On May 1, 1967, at age 32, he married Priscilla Anne Beaulieu, 21, at Milton Prell's Aladdin Hotel.They were wed in a quiet eight-minute ceremony in Prell's suite at the hotel.

Success onstage at the International

Despite his history in the city, it wasn't until The International hotel opened in 1969, that Elvis truly became synonymous with Las Vegas. While Barbra Streisand opened the showroom at the International, Elvis would make it world famous.        

In 1969 Elvis performed his first show at the International to a sold-out crowd and he went on to perform regular engagements at the property for seven years -- a total of 837 consecutive sold-out performances in front of 2.5 million people.        

The sheer numbers from these performances are mind-boggling. In one 29-day period Elvis entertained 101,509 guests, bringing in $1.5 million in ticket sales. In the course of his 800-plus performances in Vegas, Elvis sold $43.7 million in show tickets, about $250 million in 2007 dollars. In the months when Elvis was performing, 1 in 2 visitors to Las Vegas saw his show.        

The hotel became the Hilton in 1971 and over the years more people saw Elvis perform there than anywhere else in the world.

Blackwood recalled the opening show on July 31, 1969 as a who's who of the entertainment business, with an audience full of celebrities including Tom Jones, Juliet Prowse and Sammy Davis Jr.        

"He (Davis) was a big Elvis fan. He was right down in front -- front row center -- and right in the middle of the show Elvis specifically singled out Sammy Davis Jr. and walked down to the edge of the stage where Sammy was seated and took off one of his big rings -- I don't know what kind of ring it was -- but he just handed it to Sammy and Sammy was thrilled of course."        

Elvis performed two shows a night -- at 8 p.m. and midnight for a month-long stretch at a time. Blackwood said he'd usually get to bed about 3 a.m. but sometimes the group would be up all night.        

"On average of about once a week, Elvis would come to our dressing room and say, 'Hey guys, would you come up to the penthouse tonight -- I'd love for you to come up and just hang out with me.' Of course when Elvis invites you, you can't say no. So we would all go up to the penthouse. He wanted to go up there and sing."

Blackwood said the penthouse would be filled with food, drinks and Elvis' Memphis friends.

"He'd sit at the piano or one of our guys would sit at the piano and would play and we'd sing gospel music and that's about all we would do. Or he had a big stereo and he would play black gospel groups. He loved traditional black gospel music. We'd listen to it and go over and sing it. He had a ball singing ... I would say I've never known a man who loved music more than Elvis."

Janie Steele worked as a camera girl, taking pictures of guests in the showroom during Elvis' 1970s shows. She was also lucky enough to get to socialize with Elvis after the shows.        

"I was invited by one of his employees to come up to the suite between shows. I took one of my co-workers with me. He was just so nice and so handsome. I was overwhelmed. I don't think I said very much. We sat with him while he ate his dinner along with lots of other people that were there also."        

Steele also often got to watch Elvis' performances at the Hilton. "We were allowed to stand in the back of the showroom or sometimes we could sit on the steps that led down to the floor of the showroom. I saw so many that I lost count -- pretty good for someone who thought she would never see him."

Tickets to Elvis' dinner show were $17.50 and included lobster or steak. The midnight show, which included drinks, cost a little less, but those who wanted a close-up view of Elvis had to pay a bit more.

"The maitre'd had to have made a fortune by being tipped to get down front," Blackwood said. "I'm thinking probably $100 to $200 would have gotten you front row or right near the stage."

The Imperials worked with Elvis until 1972 and Blackwood said the group always enjoyed working with him.

"I really liked Elvis and I really appreciated more than anything his genuineness. He was just a Southern gentleman. He was always kind and polite to people."

Steele agreed. "He was always a gentleman with me, he always acknowledged me when he saw me at work. He was funny and witty. I wasn't disappointed at all. I am still amazed that I saw his shows let alone met him," she said.        

Blackwood said he was also struck by Elvis' intense love for people. "I never saw him really be rude to the fans. They could be quite demanding at times and he was always nice to them."

Blackwood said the one thing he wants people to know about Elvis is that he always took his music seriously and gave his all to his fans.

"He was passionate about his music. He was passionate about giving the people his very best. He was passionate about hiring musicians and singers that he felt were the best he could give. In that sense he was really a perfectionist about his music. He was serious about it. I think a lot of the time there are music people who think he was not serious and he was just having fun -- and he was doing that -- but he was very serious about what he wanted the people to experience when he sang."

Even though Elvis was scheduled for more appearances at the Hilton, December 2-12, 1976, turned out to be his last engagement there. Elvis died of a heart attack on Aug. 16, 1977 at his Graceland mansion in Memphis, Tenn.        

The legacy

Elvis was fated to never perform again in Las Vegas, but the city never forgot the entertainer. Perhaps it was fated that a city which embraced Elvis the entertainer, would want to hold on to Elvis the myth. Even before his death, tribute artists were performing as Elvis. The King used to love catching Brendan Boyer's impression of him, during the Irish Show Band's performances in the Stardust Lounge in the '70s. Las Vegas continues to offer tributes to Elvis nightly, 365 days a year.        

A year after Elvis' death a statue was dedicated in his honor at the Hilton hotel. Initially on display outside the Hilton showroom in a glass case, the statue was moved outside of the hotel's front door in 2006.

At the Hard Rock Hotel, one of Elvis' '70s jumpsuits, a gold lamé jacket and a guitar are enshrined under glass. While at the Hard Rock Café gold records, belts, a smashed guitar and a telegram from Elvis and the Colonel to the Beatles are just some of the Elvis memorabilia on display.

In 2010 the Strip's entertainment titan, Cirque du Soleil, partnered with CYK and its subsidiary, Elvis Presley Enterprises, plus MGM Mirage to create an Elvis Presley show at CityCenter, an $8 billion, 66-acre hotel, entertainment, dining and retail project at the heart of the Las Vegas Strip.        

The show is a combination of live music and singers, projections and dance along with the latest multimedia sound and lighting.

"We are working closely with our partners to ensure the public will have an unforgettable encounter with the King of Rock and Roll," said Guy Laliberté, founder of Cirque du Soleil. "Elvis had a unique relationship with his adoring fans in Vegas and a large part of our mission is to recreate the excitement and the spirit of joy he generated here."

Long live the King.

11-12-2011 om 19:48 geschreven door zooroo  

Elvis in CONCERT DATE: May 25 1977 (8:30 pm). Rochester NY.



CONCERT DATE: May 25 1977 (8:30 pm). Rochester NY.

01-12-2011 om 00:00 geschreven door zooroo  

Lisa Marie Presley - Indifferent (Live) HQ 



http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=urZP3FyaJfA

25-11-2011 om 23:56 geschreven door zooroo  

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I have just listened to 'Viva Elvis' - The Album which was very kindly sent to my by SONY(UK) and I am not afraid to say I am in tears. It is PHENOMENAL and the sound AMAZING. Truly a listening and emotional experience and genuinely revolutionary in concept which should give it an excellent chance for a Grammy Award next year. This is truly Elvis for the 21st Century.

The whole album is built around a biographical theme with comments from Elvis, Ed Sullivan, Bill Black, Milton Berle etc. and snippets of other Elvis songs apart from those listed on the album cover. This is one album that I will be playing a lot and not just once or twice. Yes, we would have liked more tracks but the ones on the album are longer than usual apart from 'Memories' and 'You'll Never Walk Alone' which are linking themes as shown below. I would also have liked to have had the names of the individual female singers featured on the duets.

The album cover is very colorful, contemporary, and features a booklet containing many scenes from the 'Viva Elvis' show with details of the cast etc. Now on to my review:

1. Opening
The album opens with the strains of what is commonly known by Elvis fans as 'The 2001 Theme' together with females screaming and chanting "We Want Elvis". Great drums featured in the background. Elvis himself comments 'If You're Looking For Trouble'. There are also historical comments from Ed Sullivan and track 1 commences a countdown into track 2. A fitting start to the album.

2. Blue Suede Shoes
Heavy version with drums and harmonica up front. Has a distinct Bo Diddley feel to it and again comments from Ed Sullivan and Milton Berle. Lots of sound wizadry here.

3. That's All Right
Has a great feel to it and commences with a similar opening to 'I Don't Care If The Sun Don't Shine' with comments by Horace Logan and Bill Black. Screaming girls add to the atmosphere. Also snatches of 'When It Rains It Really Pours'.

4. Heartbreak Hotel
This track has a great powerful Blues feel to it and starts out with Elvis doing his famous 'Well, Well Well' routine. A really heavy version follows which quite literally bounces along with great Harmonica/Sax/Brass/Drums and Piano. Snippets of 'Stranger In My Own Home Town' (informal rehearsal) as featured on 'The Essential 70's Masters Box Set. 'Polk Salad Annie' even gets a mention.

5. Love Me Tender
A beautiful duet with a really great female singer and a very contemporary arrangement with acoustic guitar adds up to a real winner. Elvis closes the duet by singing a snippet of 'In My Way' from the movie 'Wild In The Country'. In my opinion this would make a great single release.

6. King Creole
This track commences in a similar fashion to the opening of the film of the same name with strains of 'Crawfish'/'Gumbo'. Slower than the original version with the cast singing along. Elvis also sings a snippet of 'Hard Headed Woman'. The track ends in the same fashion as the beginning with 'Gumbo'. 'Elvis also sings a snippet of 'New Orleans'.

7. Bossa Nova Baby
Commences with Elvis making comments in the recording studio to Hal Wallis. We are then treated to an excellent version of this well known track featuring drums/sax/piano/bass and organ. During the song a part of the arrangement is reminiscent of 'Barbara Ann' by The Beach Boys. Elvis comments "It's Hot In Here". Ends with a great Boots Randolph style sax. A contemporary version without losing the original feel. This would be a great track for the programme 'Dancing With The Stars'.

8. Burning Love
Commences with the famous comment made by Elvis (on the 'Elvis sails' EP) to the Press Corps on joining the U.S. Army. On being asked "What's your idea of the ideal girl?" Elvis answers with much laughing '"Female Sir". A heavy version follows with guitar/drums and guitar to the fore. There is also a piece of dialogue included from the movie 'Jailhouse Rock' where Elvis has just kissed Judy Tyler (Peggy Van Alden) and she turns to him in disgust and states "How dare you think that such cheap tactics would work with me?" and Elvis replies "That ain't tactics honey, its just the beast in me".

9. Memories
A short orchestral piece of 'Memories' which is really a means of segueing into

10. Can't Help Falling In Love
This is a really fine contemporary version of this classic track and sung as a duet with a great female singer similar in style to Mariah Carey. Elvis opens the track accompanied by acoustic guitar. Very melodious. Interestingly the track fades out with Elvis repeating part of the song 'Love Me'.

11. You'll Never Walk Alone (Piano Interlude)
A beautiful short piano solo played as if it were Elvis himself and segues into the final track.

12. Suspicious Minds
Great up tempo closer for the album which is heavy on drums/piano/bass and guitar. Similar type female backing group as the Sweet Inspirations. A very melodious version with Elvis urging everyone on near the end shouting "C'mon, C'mon, C'mon".

Finally, I would like to make this important point. To fully appreciate this album one needs to treat it as a whole and not just a conglomeration of unrelated tracks. As stated earlier it is truly a unique 'listening experience' and and one that is linked biographically to cover all Elvis eras from 'That's All Right' to 'Suspicious Minds' taking in the 50's, the Movies, the Army, the 68 TV Special and Vegas. Special thanks go out to Erich van Tourneau and his team for this innovative concept in recorded music and to EPE and Sony Music Entertainment for their support for the project.

This album will whet the appetite of fans worldwide to go and see the show 'Viva Elvis' when it eventually goes on tour and bring back fond memories for those who have already seen it. I personally cannot wait.

Best.

Brian Quinn

25-11-2011 om 21:36 geschreven door zooroo  

Dvd Star "Viva Elvis" was released last week Monday.

OPENING – Elvis returns to the stage, footage is running backwards and from 1977 till 1956, once back on stage…

BLUE SUEDE SHOES starts, much footage (in Blue)of Elvis singing this song is used with special appearances by Milton Berle and Ed Sullivan.

THAT’S ALL RIGHT uses fifties, sixties and seventies footage and the image has been given an old look to make it all fit together, even Scotty Moore has been inserted to play the rhythm.

HEARTBREAK HOTEL, starts with Elvis signing his RCA contract, and tries to tell the story of the rise and fall of The King, Elvis holds his first gold record, and in the record you will see some of the awards he got during his career, also his Pink Caddy and Graceland is shown, then in the end, he shows the Moody Blue award….

KING CREOLE, featuring Forty Nina doing an exclusive duet version with Danny Fisher!

Great edits have been used to make this clip.. Something Else!

BOSSA NOVA BABY, the party highlight of the dvd, using lots and lots of movie sequences,

Elvis finding another Cat, and a special performance of Boots Randolph!

BURNING LOVE, shows what a Big Hunk O Love Elvis really is! Kissing in movies and on stage, combining rehearsal and live footage to make yet another great clip. Just watch Elvis wait for Judy Tyler: How dare you think such cheap tactics would work with me…. And then bursts back into HUNKA HUNKA BURNING LOVE!

CANT HELP FALLING IN LOVE tells the story of the boy from Tupelo trying to find love, yet he never really succeeds, and in the end he kinda cries out for help…OH…YEAH……

SUSPICIOUS MINDS….Is this THE highlight of the dvd?…it probably is…. Footage of the entire career of Elvis in combined in an astonishing way, making it look like he moves on the song in his movies, singing the song in the fifties.. the ultimate Elvis Presley song… the Ultimate STAR clip, this is what it is all about.. making clips enjoyable too watch, and in a way you don’t see everyday.

Take a look at the special artwork of this dvd, VIVA ELVIS.. .every letter represents one of the main clips….. Also be sure to check out the trailer….this also gives you an idea what to expect!

ELVIS RETURNS TO THE STAGE, STAR RETURNS TO EDITING!

Exclusive TRAILER:


http://www.epgold.com/import-news/4-dvds/1057-dvd-star-qviva-elvisq-.html

STAR IS PROUD TO PRESENT: A NEW VIEWING EXPERIENCE - VIVA ELVIS – THE Dvd

Yes its been quite a while, but now STAR is back and takes editing to the next level!

Presenting the COMPLETE Viva Elvis Album on Dvd!!

This dvd is for:

- ELVIS FANS

- CIRQUE DU SOLEIL FANS

- NON CIRQUE DU SOLEIL FANS

What to expect? Expect the best, and you will get more, expect nothing and you will be amazed about the level of this dvd. You have to watch it several times to discover all links and high tech effects, and one things for sure… after watching it… the album itself cant be played without seeing the footage you saw on this dvd.

It has NOTHING to do with CIRQUE DU SOLEIL, but when you did see it in Vegas, it will bring back some memories as some footage is linked to linked to it.

The dvd has ALL tracks of the original album, and more:

Tracklisting:

It starts off with some great Elvis Commercials, included among others are: Funny battery commercial, Pizza Hut commercial, 2011 C&A commercial ,and an historic commercial for Elvis first Album (1956!!)

MAIN FEATURE:

1. Didja Ever/Return To Sender (exclusive performance by the Viva

Elvis cast)

2. Bossa Nova Baby (exclusive performance by the Viva Elvis cast)

3. One Night(exclusive performance by the Viva Elvis cast)

4. Opening

5. Blue Suede Shoes

6. That's All Right

7. Heartbreak Hotel

8. Love Me Tender

9. King Creole

10. Bossa Nova Baby

11. Burning Love

12. Memories (Interlude)

13. Can't Help Falling In Love

14. You'll Never Walk Alone (Piano Interlude)

15. Suspicious Minds

ENCORE PERFORMANCES:

(these original videos, which are a joke compared to what you get on the main programma , are included as a bonus)

1. Love me Tender (official videoclip)

2. Burning Love (official videoclip)

3. Suspicious Minds (official videoclip)

4. Blue Suede Shoes (exclusive performance by the Viva Elvis cast)

5. Love Me Tender (French Television)

Dvd Star "Viva Elvis" - Pal - Region Free

_{Source; Email / EpGold}

25-11-2011 om 21:27 geschreven door zooroo  

Summer In Sin City

25-11-2011 om 21:12 geschreven door zooroo  

Forty Eight Hours To Memphis

By ElvisNews.com/ Lex, Oct 30, 2011

FTD just released another live show, this time on 7”(!). It is the Richmond gig from March 18, 1974.

Design

Quite surprisingly FTD decided to release this show on 7” instead of the regular 5”. I guess they did it since it is probably one of the best live outings so far on the label.

It is nice to read about the passion someone (Robert Frieser in this case) develops for a “particular Elvis-thing”. This dedication brings us one of the better FTD-designs, with an informative booklet. Next to Robert’s story on the tapes it gives an in depth view of the complete tour.

I only wonder who that mystery musician is…

Content

Without any doubt Luxor’s Guaranteed To Blow Your Mind was one of the better live-bootlegs, both show and sound wise. FTD brings the same great show in an even better sound quality. Out of laziness I picked Christopher Hassel’s view on the bootleg, since it underlines my opinion perfectly, so thanks Christopher!

The 1974 bootlegs are abundant and most are excellent.. including Steamroller Blues in Memphis, Spanish Eyes in Lake Tahoe as well as other highlights from 1974 including this CD....Let's start by saying..You definitely need to hear this CD to appreciate the quality of this concert !! The sound of this CD is superb....One of the best, if not THE best quality bootlegs out there. The mix is perfect.. On top of the great sound, the concert is fantastic.. with Elvis in a very good mood and his voice is strong and powerful.. an excellent night for the fans in Richmond indeed.. Anyway..the concert..
The CD starts off with some cool stuff.. Including the opening big band version of Love Me Tender as well as opening act Voice singing two tunes, Keep It Going and Going Back To Memphis Tomorrow.. Also included is announcer Al Devorin doing his best salesman job pushing Elvis souvenirs..These were actually recorded in Memphis in 1975... After a few listens to the CD and this all becomes boring.. but, it gives you the " whole " Elvis concert experience.. besides, you can just scan past them and go on to the real deal... Elvis..

As always..Also Sprach Zarathustra's ominous sounds begin the performance.. and Elvis appears with a good solid version of C.C. Rider. A shortened version of the usual " Well well well " goes right into a cool version of I've Got A Woman/ Amen in which Elvis makes JD Sumner do his thing twice !!!

Elvis greets the audience with a funny bit when he says, " It's nice to be back in Hampton Roa.. I mean Richmond !! " and then goes right into Love Me which is nothing special. An intense, powerful version of Trying To Get To You follows. Elvis pounds this one out..Fantastic.. A short version of All Shook Up is next, nothing new, but it's still a cool grooving tune to hear...

Next up is one of the most funkiest versions of Steamroller Blues you will ever hear..The horn section powers through this tune and Elvis is right there with them..Pumping out his heart into this one...This version buries the well known Aloha recording...Fantastic. Teddy Bear/ Don't Be Cruel and Love Me Tender follow one another... Nothing exciting here, but the great sound quality makes up for it !!!!

The very cool and rocking medley Long tall sally/ whole lotta shakin' goin' on/ mama don't dance/ flip flop & fly/ jailhouse rock/ hound dog follows and is tight and exciting... The well known version from the Memphis concert pales in comparison..It would have been nice if Elvis did more medleys like this one...

A very funny version of Fever is up next.. Elvis plays with the words and has a blast with this one.. He even comments at the end, " That's a fun song to do.. " Fun to listen to as well...Forget the Aloha version !!! Polk Salad Annie is next and its funky grooves are as wild as ever... To take a little breather, Elvis has JD Sumner and the Stamps sing Why Me Lord ?... JD's low tones grace this gospel tune beautifully..In this concert, Elvis doesn't give the audience a chance to breathe as he pumps out song after song with hardly any break in between.. Such is the case of Suspicious Minds... This is such a great song, I've never heard a bad version, and this one doesn't change that..

The introductions are up next and they are short and to the point. The extended solos have not yet become part of the intros as they will later in the year at the Vegas closing in September. A powerhouse version of I Can't Stop Loving You kicks right in after the intros.. Elvis' strong voice is evident here as he barrels through this one..A great version.

Elvis' latest record " Help Me " follows and this a touching rendition of this beautiful song... A moving, stirring version of American Trilogy immediately follows and as usual, Elvis and the TCB band hit it right on the head. Magnificent. Let Me Be There is up next and the band really shines on this tight country song..Which will become a staple of Elvis' concerts in the following years..

Time for the houselights to come up on Richmond...which means Funny How Time Slips Away is up...Nothing new on this one, but again, the sound quality gives new depth to these songs.. " And until we're back in Richmond , we bid you an affectionate adios" and we hear the finale Can't Help Falling In Love complete with screams from girls no doubt catching those scarves...Elvis has left the Building.....

If you are faced with the challenge of grabbing hold of only one CD from the 1974 tours, do your best to grab this one.. The sound is superb and the concert itself is one of Elvis' best.. Not to mention the beautiful close up shots of Elvis in the sleeve. As the title says, this is guaranteed to blow your mind.

Conclusion

One of the best (sounding) live shows on the label so far, it deserves the 7”-format!

Tracklist:

• See See Rider
• I Got a Woman
• Amen
• Love Me
• Tryin' to Get to You
• Steamroller Blues
• Teddy Bear
• Don't Be Cruel
• Love Me Tender
• Long Tall Sally
• Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On
• Mama Don't Dance
• Flip, Flop and Fly
• Jailhouse Rock
• Fever
• Polk Salad Annie
• Why Me Lord
• Suspicious Minds
• I Can't Stop Loving You
• Help Me
• An American Trilogy
• Let Me Be There (With reprise)
• Funny How Time Slips Away
• Can't Help Falling in Love
• Sweet Caroline
• Johnny B. Goode
• That's All Right, Mama

31-10-2011 om 19:57 geschreven door zooroo  

'Takin' Tahoe Tonight'

Early 1973 was an emotionally traumatic time for Elvis. Although Priscilla & his divorce had been officially settled, Mike Stone (Priscilla's boyfriend) was now trying to limit Elvis' access to Lisa Marie which really upset him. The year had started on the perfect high of The Aloha special but, having achieved the ultimate live show, was there really any challenge left to divert him from the sadness of his personal life?

Takin' Lake Tahoe - There is no doubt that the emotional stress was affecting his health and his voice was also reflecting the strain. During his first 1973 Las Vegas season his voice sounded weak and Elvis had to cancel several shows. On Feb 15th Elvis' voice even failed him halfway through the concert and he had to halt the show.

Only 3 days later four men jumped on to the Vegas stage to try and attack him! It certainly was an eventful start to the year. While a few bootlegs do capture Elvis during this period, RCA realised that Elvis was not performing at 'full blast' and until now no concert from this period has ever been released.

So this new FTD CD is a real first. A live 1973 soundboard show, a Lake Tahoe performance, as well as the first concert release featuring Emory Gordy playing bass guitar. An interesting change since it is Emory Gordy's thundering bass that drives along the 'Burning Love' single so fabulously. This was Elvis' second Lake Tahoe season and after an earlier rest for 2 months his voice was improving. He must also have been in a good mood since he offered to perform this extra Mother's Day concert at 3am, from which he donated his own fee to the local hospital in his Mother's name.

Incredibly this was his third performance of the day, as he had already done his usual Dinner and Midnight shows, and what fun it is. Elvis is obviously in an excellent mood and treats the crowd to some superb & spontaneous moments. The real selling point of this live release is that it is an excellent mix, superbly capturing Elvis' vocal, the band, as well as the orchestra. If this is the sound that the audience heard that night then they were very lucky!

Apart from the occasional peak distortion, when Elvis really goes for it, & the slight hiss, sometimes it is hard to believe that this is a soundboard recording. It actually sounds like the audio engineer wasn't using the usual audio-compression this night, giving it a very dynamic sound. Now while we are all familiar with the set-list, since this concert was only 4 months after Aloha, there are still plenty of surprises.

An energetic 'See See Rider' kicks off the show with the horns sounding as clear as a bell and James Burton really chickin' pickin'! Elvis laughs & jokes mid-song "Just woke me up, Whooo!" but this time, unlike the later Las Vegas Dinner shows, it is obvious that he is joking! A laid-back 'I Got A Woman/Amen' follows during which you can notice that Elvis is holding back vocally. A bonus is that, even with a J.D Sumner double-ending, this version is short and sweet unlike later versions.

After a quick "Good Morning", noting the early hour of the day, Elvis unusually drops the regular 'Love Me Tender' and goes straight to 'Help Me Make It Through the Night'. Maybe this was intentional since it was his 3rd show that night! Taken at a noticeably faster tempo than the '75 versions, his voice sounds far from the best and he adds the interesting & possibly deliberate.. "We don't want to be alone, Help us make it through the night" This is also the earliest live recording of this song yet released.

'Steamroller Blues' warms things up nicely and the band is cookin'. At a faster tempo and sounding funkier than the "bluesier" Aloha version, it helps show off the great soundboard mix along with Emory's funky bass. Elvis really digs into the track, "I'm a steamrollin' mother" - yes indeed!

'You Gave Me A Mountain' again shows the dynamic mix on this tape and, as later, Elvis' restraint actually works on this song. Listen to the line "Just tired of being my wife" and his enjoyment is obvious as he hollers, "Whoo", mid-song! The concert does seem to 'connect' at this point and Elvis' humour is infectious.

During a cool 'Love Me' he exclaims, "Behave James!" to James Burton and laughs with the band, teasing Ronnie Tutt with, "You want to play funny? Eh, Ronnie?" Knowing that Elvis loved Peter Sellers just think of the laughs he would have had (must be having?!) at Austin Powers! Elvis is definitely enjoying himself & having fun.

'Long Tall Sally' features the line "Saw J.D with bald-headed Sally" and listen out for his delightful giggle just before 'Blue Suede Shoes.' It is obvious that, even with his voice causing him worry, he was still the consummate performer.

Since 'Aloha' and his on-going voice problems Elvis had been avoiding the song 'My Way' but tonight he is obviously feeling much better. Here it is the first real challenge of the show. On the stage of Lake Tahoe Elvis sounds perfectly alone, and the power-ending shows that his voice really has improved since earlier in the year. There is also a genuine, cute moment when he forgets the line "But through it all, when there was doubt" and hums the last few words!

Elvis also gives 'What Now My Love' a power-ending but otherwise hangs back on this and, surprisingly, 'Suspicious Minds' too which is very laid-back compared to the Aloha version. His throat sounds positively sore at points but James Burton & the band are on great form. It also sounds like Charlie Hodge is trying to compensate for Elvis.

After the quick 'Introductions' Elvis is warming up for some fun that continues right through to the end of the concert. He sings "I Remember You,,, Alfie!" and announces "This is from the TV Special we did recently" before cracking up as he changes the lyrics to reflect that it is 3am. His laughter is a treat and captures the overall feel of this Charity show. The original lyric. .. "Long after this endless summer has gone I'll be lonely, oh so lonely" Here becomes. . . "Long after this, long morning is through I'll be horny,. . lonely, oh so lonely" He announces "Well that's about enough!" before playing with the audience during a fun 'I Can't Stop Loving You' which warms us up to another highlight.

'Bridge Over Troubled Water' was an Elvis classic sadly missing from the Aloha shows. In fact Elvis hadn't been performing it since June 1972 so this was a real bonus and also a highlight of this night's show. The mix is terrific with Glen Hardin's piano & Emory's bass nicely shaping the song. Here Elvis' voice really does suit the sentiment of the lyric and he enjoys it so much that he does a rare reprise at the end. This is a real treat and also a surprise for the band! Unfortunately there is a bit of peak-distortion on the tape but the dynamic of the song is perfectly captured.

Elvis suggests 'The Impossible Dream' as the next track. Although Joe Guercio is there at Lake Tahoe, the Al Tronti orchestra obviously haven't rehearsed the song which is a shame. Elvis also asks for 'For The Good Times' but that suggestion is rejected too! Showing his spontaneity, & good humour, instead he goes for a very enjoyable 'Funny How Time Slips Away' which works very nicely with some good crowd interaction.

Then for the second time Elvis suggests 'The Impossible Dream' but again gets told "We can't do it!"

This time Elvis chooses 'It's Over', before jumping straight into 'Release Me'. This he kicks off in too high a key which causes it to fall apart after 30 seconds. He comments "Goddamn that's high. Hold it, hold it! Let's do Faded Love." This really surprises the band and Elvis has to ask them to adjust the tempo - They were playing fast that night.

'Faded Love' is excellent fun, with Glen D Hardin and even the brass section really getting into it, and fits nicely into the spontaneity of the concert.

Sadly, with dawn in sight, it was time to wrap up the show and those dreaded words "I'd like to sing a song from Blue Hawaii for you" and 'Can't Help falling In Love' takes us home.

However an excellent bonus on this CD are 2 extra performances from the Midnight Show. A delicious and rare 'I'm Leaving' is another highlight. What a shame that this beautiful song never got added to the Aloha show. Again this is the earliest official live release of this song, although Elvis had sung it live as far back as 1971.

A storming 'A Big Hunk O' Love' also shows that Elvis was on fine form that day. So while this CD doesn't feature Elvis on top form vocally, it does show the natural, spur-of-the-moment side of his character especially when compared to the restraint & seriousness of the '73 Aloha special. The cover does features some terrific photos from the actual concert and is one of FTD's best layouts.

Overall Verdict - Although this may not be an essential purchase for everyone, Elvis is loose, having fun, the mix is excellent and it does capture an important part of Elvis' emotional year. Recommended listening.

Note - Now 1971 is the only year remaining for which we have no official Elvis concert release. Hopefully FTD has a show from the November tour when Elvis was in good form & playing to larger crowds. Jesse D. Presley was even at one of them (Nov 7th) to see his grandson perform!

Reviewed by Piers Beagley
Copyright EIN - 2003

24-10-2011 om 19:33 geschreven door zooroo